Sexual health

Sexual health is an important area of public health, and access to quality sexual health services is critical to the health and wellbeing of individuals and the wider population. This includes empowering people of all ages to ensure they're protected from sexually transmitted infections, reduce under-18 conceptions, reduce under-18 and repeat terminations, and ensure that people make informed decisions about their sexual behaviour and health.

The role of Middlesbrough Council, working with partners such as VCS organisations, is crucial in commissioning and providing an integrated and tailored sexual health outreach promotion and prevention service through, for example, education in schools and youth services.

Local information and support

Teesside Sexual Health Service provides all aspects of sexual health care, including contraception, STI testing and treatment, and HIV care and treatment, from easily accessible locations across Middlesbrough. Free confidential chlamydia test kits are available to all young people aged 15 to 24 in Middlesbrough. You can get the test by visiting a walk-in service or you can have it sent to your home.

The Middlesbrough C-Card Scheme, provided through Teesside Sexual Health Service, works with over 100 pharmacies in and around Teesside to give free condoms, free emergency contraception, free counselling and support for sexual transmitted infections, and free advice on long-lasting reversible contraception. The service is available to young people aged aged 13-24 in Middlesbrough.